Audi is taking over the Sauber Formula 1 team, replacing their existing identity (which was branded as Alfa Romeo until 2023, then Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber) to become their own official works team, the Audi Revolut F1 Team, starting with the 2026 season. They are essentially becoming the new factory team, inheriting Sauber's infrastructure and grid slot, with Nico Hülkenberg and Gabriel Bortoleto as their drivers for the debut year.
American car manufacturer General Motors (GM) is a Formula One constructor under the Cadillac brand as Cadillac Formula 1 Team, beginning with the 2026 season, and is expected to become a power unit manufacturer starting in 2029.
One of the most famous US automotive names comes to Formula 1 for 2026, as the all-new Cadillac squad make their debut as the grid's 11th team.
F1 Teams 2026
Zhou Guanyu is the latest familiar name to join the Cadillac Formula 1 team, with the Chinese racer having been announced as the squad's reserve driver for 2026, forming part of a wider line-up that features Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez on the race team and former IndyCar racer Colton Herta as a test driver.
Is the Number 69 Banned in F1? Number 69 is not officially banned by the FIA, but no driver has chosen it since the system was introduced in 2014.
Carlos Sainz – Williams
Carlos Sainz will again join Albon at Williams in 2026, a year in which both will be hoping to build on a solid 2025 and progress even further up the grid.
The number 17 was retired from Formula One in his honour by the FIA, who mandated the halo cockpit protection device in all open-wheel championships from 2018 onwards. As of the 2025 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Bianchi remains the most recent fatality in the Formula One World Championship.
Oliver Bearman (top left), Kimi Antonelli (top centre), Jack Doohan (top right), Gabriel Bortoleto (bottom left), Liam Lawson (bottom centre) and Isack Hadjar (bottom right) made their debuts as full-time drivers with Haas, Mercedes, Alpine, Sauber, Red Bull Racing, and Racing Bulls, respectively.
An 11th team will join the grid in 2026 as Cadillac prepare for their maiden season in Formula 1, making them the first new squad since Haas debuted back in 2016.
Yes, Formula 1 is set to expand to 11 teams in 2026 with Cadillac (General Motors) joining, and there's strong discussion and intent from the FIA to potentially add a 12th team, with the rules allowing up to 12, though securing the right manufacturer/bid remains key. The current Concorde Agreement allows for up to 12, and while Liberty Media and teams resisted initially, Cadillac's successful, manufacturer-backed bid opened the door for a 12th entry, with a Chinese manufacturer being a focus for the FIA, says ESPN and Motorsport Week.
FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who was attending the race at Monza, told reporters in July that Formula One could go back to noisy normally-aspirated V8 engines with fully sustainable fuel and a small electric element in 2029.
The automaker is selling the entire stake in order to inject some cash into the auto-making sides of things. Due to American tariffs and an economic slowdown in China, the storied British brand was barely able to break even last year.
With less downforce being generated, lap times will be achieved differently in 2026: the new cars will be faster on the straights than the current generation, but significantly slower in the corners.
That's true; back in December of 2024, a clip on social media emerged of a fan asking Ricciardo about his chances with Cadillac, to which the driver replied, “Nah, I'm done.” Further, in a recent conversation with Formula 1, Ricciardo spoke of his “retirement” from active competition, offering no indication that he ...
Yes, the number 69 is allowed in Formula 1, as the FIA doesn't officially ban it, but drivers often avoid it due to cultural connotations, although some, like Max Verstappen, have considered it for its marketing potential as it reads the same upside down. While numbers like 17 (retired for Jules Bianchi) are officially disallowed, 69 isn't prohibited by regulations, but rather by social and team pressure, similar to number 13.
LGBTQ+ Representation in F1 – Only four drivers in Formula 1 history have publicly come out as LGBTQ+: Ralf Schumacher, Mike Beuttler, Mário de Araújo Cabral, and Lella Lombardi.
Flavio Briatore has returned to Formula 1 as Alpine's new team principal, 16 years after receiving a lifetime ban for being apart of one of motorsport's most infamous scandals.
Carlos Sainz claims he does not regret leaving McLaren for Ferrari, but does acknowledge he'd be 'fighting for a World Championship" had he remained. “Those two strong years at McLaren were perhaps the best of my career, where I got the most out of the car I had,” he said to DAZN.
For the cheapest 2026 F1 tickets, focus on races in Hungary, Azerbaijan, Austria, Japan, and Bahrain, which consistently offer lower-priced general admission (GA) options, with early bird sales crucial for savings, especially around circuits like Spa, Silverstone, and the Hungaroring, though prices fluctuate, so checking sites like Motorsport Tickets and F1 Ticket Store for specific event dates is key.
Overtake Mode replaces DRS and will allow for extra power deployment to help with overtakes. This can be a strategic tool, where drivers can use the extra power all at once or spread over a lap.
The Australian fought his way up the grid, scraping into the points with a 10th place finish. In a post race interview, Piastri said Verstappen “came and apologised straight away”.
Michael Schumacher didn't attend Ayrton Senna's funeral in 1994 primarily because he was in deep emotional turmoil, questioning his own future in Formula 1 after Senna's tragic death at Imola and feeling unsure if he could continue racing, leading to regrets later about his absence. While he respected Senna immensely as a hero and rival, the shock and confusion surrounding the fatal weekend made him withdraw, though he later visited Senna's grave and regretted not being at the funeral itself.
In Formula 1, the 75% rule dictates that if a race leader completes 75% or more of the scheduled race distance, full points are awarded; if less than that, points are reduced on a tiered scale (50-75%, 25-50%, or under 25%), ensuring points are scaled to the race's length when shortened by red flags or weather, rather than stopping points altogether.